Shymkent (Kazakhstan): India’s Manu Bhaker started her Asian Shooting Championship campaign on a high note, securing a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event on Tuesday.
Bhaker, a two-time Olympic medallist, scored 219.7 in the final to claim third place. China’s Qianke Ma shot an impressive 243.2 to take gold, while South Korea’s Yang Jiin settled for silver with 241.6.
The Indian shooter had earlier finished third in the 60-shot qualification round, scoring 583-18x, ahead of Yang (581-16x) and Ma (579-15x), thereby entering the eight-woman final in a strong position.
India’s campaign had already gained momentum on the opening day with two gold and three silver medals. Kapil Bainsla topped the junior men’s air pistol event, while the senior and junior men’s teams added silver medals to the tally.
The men’s 10m air pistol team of Anmol Jain, Saurabh Chaudhary and Aditya Malra secured silver with 1735-52x, narrowly trailing China’s team, which posted 1744-51x for gold.
In youth competition, 17-year-old Girish Gupta delivered a standout performance, winning the 10m air pistol event with 241.3. Compatriot Dev Pratap, just 14 years old, claimed silver with 238.6, ensuring India finished the first day on a strong note.
India has fielded a large contingent in Shymkent, with 35 senior shooters competing in 15 events and 129 participants in junior categories.
